BOSSES at a Brierley Hill insurance firm say they are baffled as to why they can’t fill vacant jobs despite higher than average levels of unemployment in the town.

Legal Insurance Management, based at The Waterfront Business Park, has been desperately trying to fill six positions for months – four of which require no qualifications.

Despite 6.6 per cent of Brierley Hill residents claiming Jobseeker's Allowance last month - 4.2 per cent higher than the average across Great Britain - the jobs with salaries ranging from £14,825 to £25,300, have remained unfilled, although advertised on recruitment websites and social media.

Kathryn Flavell, head of business operations at the family-owned firm, said the only interest has been from half-hearted candidates who have either sent in incomplete application forms, failed to turn up for interviews or expressed a reluctance to work shifts.

She said: "I find it staggering that the media constantly communicate how many people are unemployed, desperate for work and that there are no jobs out there whilst we remain in the position where we are physically unable to fill vacancies.

"We receive applications with just email addresses on and no further information and approximately 50 per cent of people that we invite to interviews do not turn up."

She continued: "When candidates don’t turn up to interviews, despite trying to contact them, we never get any response whatsoever.

"One candidate has been invited to interview three separate times - and has failed to turn up, without explanation each time."

Four of the positions require no qualifications or experience and involve working shifts to deal with customers’ home emergencies within a 24/7 contact centre.

Another vacancy, which requires A-levels or experience, involves working with brokers and intermediaries to create documentation and the final job, which requires a degree, involves handling legal expenses claims of an employment nature.

Mrs Flavell said the majority of candidates interviewed had no understanding of the role they’d applied for or they showed no passion to secure the role.

She added: "We often ask why someone wants to work in insurance or for our company, and most candidates are honest in the fact that they don’t know.

"Being a niche market, it’s often hard to find people who want to be in an insurance environment. We often get applicants with a law degree who want to become solicitors but have failed to gain a training contract and therefore don’t want to be here and we often get candidates who apply and don’t want to work shifts which, for a 24/7 emergency company, is unavoidable."

Comments

carl66
10:32pm Fri 25 Jul 14

Maybe if this company gave employees decent conditions and a living wage they would find if easier to recruit people. Expecting people to work as slaves even under a conservative regime wont get them the employees they want . Maybe they should try the Tories "workfare" program and then they can get poor saps to work for them for free.

Maybe if this company gave employees decent conditions and a living wage they would find if easier to recruit people. Expecting people to work as slaves even under a conservative regime wont get them the employees they want . Maybe they should try the Tories "workfare" program and then they can get poor saps to work for them for free.carl66

Maybe if this company gave employees decent conditions and a living wage they would find if easier to recruit people. Expecting people to work as slaves even under a conservative regime wont get them the employees they want . Maybe they should try the Tories "workfare" program and then they can get poor saps to work for them for free.

Score: -28

LIM Group
11:29am Mon 28 Jul 14

Having read the above feedback, I would like to take the opportunity to respond, elaborating further on the article so that more informed comments may be posted.

As an employer, Legal Insurance Management not only provide a comprehensive tangible remuneration package (as detailed below), but also a friendly and supportive place to work – an environment which would be widely recognised as beyond decent working conditions.

For potential employees, it may be interesting to note that LIM’s salary banding for all advertised positions, including entry-level roles, are above the living wage. The career pathways and opportunities within such a fast-growing organisation are diverse and I would question, therefore, whether the attitude displayed above is a cynical and generic response to employers when, in regards to LIM, it is unfounded.

Our employees, committed to fulfilling their potential and passionate about their role, receive our commitment and support to ensuring that they achieve their goals.

Having read the above feedback, I would like to take the opportunity to respond, elaborating further on the article so that more informed comments may be posted.
As an employer, Legal Insurance Management not only provide a comprehensive tangible remuneration package (as detailed below), but also a friendly and supportive place to work – an environment which would be widely recognised as beyond decent working conditions.
LIM Benefits:
Non-contributory pension
Free legal expenses insurance
Free home emergency cover
Death in service benefit
Long-term sickness benefit
Free motor breakdown
Support to achieve industry-recognised qualifications
28 days holiday
Opportunity for additional hours
Team building days
A quiz and cake session every Tuesday afternoon
Discretionary annual bonus
Additional holiday at Christmas
Modern offices and free on-site car parking
Free office refreshments
Structured salary banding with supportive training programme
Opportunities to progress cross-functionally within the business
For potential employees, it may be interesting to note that LIM’s salary banding for all advertised positions, including entry-level roles, are above the living wage. The career pathways and opportunities within such a fast-growing organisation are diverse and I would question, therefore, whether the attitude displayed above is a cynical and generic response to employers when, in regards to LIM, it is unfounded.
Our employees, committed to fulfilling their potential and passionate about their role, receive our commitment and support to ensuring that they achieve their goals.LIM Group

Having read the above feedback, I would like to take the opportunity to respond, elaborating further on the article so that more informed comments may be posted.

As an employer, Legal Insurance Management not only provide a comprehensive tangible remuneration package (as detailed below), but also a friendly and supportive place to work – an environment which would be widely recognised as beyond decent working conditions.

For potential employees, it may be interesting to note that LIM’s salary banding for all advertised positions, including entry-level roles, are above the living wage. The career pathways and opportunities within such a fast-growing organisation are diverse and I would question, therefore, whether the attitude displayed above is a cynical and generic response to employers when, in regards to LIM, it is unfounded.

Our employees, committed to fulfilling their potential and passionate about their role, receive our commitment and support to ensuring that they achieve their goals.

Score: 37

carl66
11:19pm Mon 28 Jul 14

Utter corperate gibberish learned and repeted here from one of the countless PR courses these people are sent on. Now ask one of your employies how they really feel about being coersed into working all the hours god sends while the people at the top sit at home with feet on the sofa drinking champaign and counting the money their workers have made for them.

Utter corperate gibberish learned and repeted here from one of the countless PR courses these people are sent on. Now ask one of your employies how they really feel about being coersed into working all the hours god sends while the people at the top sit at home with feet on the sofa drinking champaign and counting the money their workers have made for them.carl66

Utter corperate gibberish learned and repeted here from one of the countless PR courses these people are sent on. Now ask one of your employies how they really feel about being coersed into working all the hours god sends while the people at the top sit at home with feet on the sofa drinking champaign and counting the money their workers have made for them.

Score: -25

The Villan
12:57pm Tue 29 Jul 14

carl66 wrote…

Utter corperate gibberish learned and repeted here from one of the countless PR courses these people are sent on. Now ask one of your employies how they really feel about being coersed into working all the hours god sends while the people at the top sit at home with feet on the sofa drinking champaign and counting the money their workers have made for them.

Well, we can all see how educated you are with your poor command of spelling, and total lack of grammar.

You really are a negative person and need to get out more! Others think the same, just look at the negative scores for your rant's, says it all.

[quote][p][bold]carl66[/bold] wrote:
Utter corperate gibberish learned and repeted here from one of the countless PR courses these people are sent on. Now ask one of your employies how they really feel about being coersed into working all the hours god sends while the people at the top sit at home with feet on the sofa drinking champaign and counting the money their workers have made for them.[/p][/quote]Well, we can all see how educated you are with your poor command of spelling, and total lack of grammar.
You really are a negative person and need to get out more! Others think the same, just look at the negative scores for your rant's, says it all.The Villan

carl66 wrote…

Utter corperate gibberish learned and repeted here from one of the countless PR courses these people are sent on. Now ask one of your employies how they really feel about being coersed into working all the hours god sends while the people at the top sit at home with feet on the sofa drinking champaign and counting the money their workers have made for them.

Well, we can all see how educated you are with your poor command of spelling, and total lack of grammar.

You really are a negative person and need to get out more! Others think the same, just look at the negative scores for your rant's, says it all.

Score: 14

Sam Vimes
6:40pm Tue 29 Jul 14

Its interesting that they're offering low paid, low skill roles that require no qualifications but appear to be surprised they're getting candidates who know nothing about the job. What do they expect?

Filtering through the rantage Carl does have a point.

Lim benefits

Pension - because we have to by law
Free legal expenses - its our business so it costs zilch
Home cover ditto
Death in service benefit - standard benefit
Sickness benefit - ditto
Free motor breakdown - its our business again
Training - when there's a business case of course
Holiday - I should hope so
Opportunity to do more work - how generous
Team building days - hot needles. Eyeballs
Quiz and cakes - actually don't mind a cake
Bonus - discretionary = no chance of getting it
Extra Xmas holidays - because its cheaper to shut down than run an idle office
Modern office and parking - the basics
Free refreshments - a water cooler and really bad coffee vending
Salary banding - so you can never get too much
And training - repeated
Cross-functional moves - teasing you with an escape you'll never quite get

At least there's cake

Its interesting that they're offering low paid, low skill roles that require no qualifications but appear to be surprised they're getting candidates who know nothing about the job. What do they expect?
Filtering through the rantage Carl does have a point.
Lim benefits
Pension - because we have to by law
Free legal expenses - its our business so it costs zilch
Home cover ditto
Death in service benefit - standard benefit
Sickness benefit - ditto
Free motor breakdown - its our business again
Training - when there's a business case of course
Holiday - I should hope so
Opportunity to do more work - how generous
Team building days - hot needles. Eyeballs
Quiz and cakes - actually don't mind a cake
Bonus - discretionary = no chance of getting it
Extra Xmas holidays - because its cheaper to shut down than run an idle office
Modern office and parking - the basics
Free refreshments - a water cooler and really bad coffee vending
Salary banding - so you can never get too much
And training - repeated
Cross-functional moves - teasing you with an escape you'll never quite get
At least there's cakeSam Vimes

Its interesting that they're offering low paid, low skill roles that require no qualifications but appear to be surprised they're getting candidates who know nothing about the job. What do they expect?

Filtering through the rantage Carl does have a point.

Lim benefits

Pension - because we have to by law
Free legal expenses - its our business so it costs zilch
Home cover ditto
Death in service benefit - standard benefit
Sickness benefit - ditto
Free motor breakdown - its our business again
Training - when there's a business case of course
Holiday - I should hope so
Opportunity to do more work - how generous
Team building days - hot needles. Eyeballs
Quiz and cakes - actually don't mind a cake
Bonus - discretionary = no chance of getting it
Extra Xmas holidays - because its cheaper to shut down than run an idle office
Modern office and parking - the basics
Free refreshments - a water cooler and really bad coffee vending
Salary banding - so you can never get too much
And training - repeated
Cross-functional moves - teasing you with an escape you'll never quite get

At least there's cake

Score: -13

robbo71
8:53pm Tue 29 Jul 14

jeez there are some miserable sods on here !... having worked in call centres myself, i can honestly say the benefits listed would be a god send in previous companies, its easy to scoff, i daresay if LIM management were reading this, they're glad the pessimistic sods aren't applying for the posts - i know Id rather have them on the outside spitting in, than the inside spitting out ...

jeez there are some miserable sods on here !... having worked in call centres myself, i can honestly say the benefits listed would be a god send in previous companies, its easy to scoff, i daresay if LIM management were reading this, they're glad the pessimistic sods aren't applying for the posts - i know Id rather have them on the outside spitting in, than the inside spitting out ...robbo71

jeez there are some miserable sods on here !... having worked in call centres myself, i can honestly say the benefits listed would be a god send in previous companies, its easy to scoff, i daresay if LIM management were reading this, they're glad the pessimistic sods aren't applying for the posts - i know Id rather have them on the outside spitting in, than the inside spitting out ...

Score: 19

Luke78
8:47am Wed 30 Jul 14

It's funny how these negative comments are making accusations based on a company they know nothing about; they are just tarnishing them with the same brush using robotic quotes obviously picked up from the media. Instead of being dull mindless sheep who will believe anything, why don't you and go and find that life that you left somewhere and start using it! I hope you will eventually overcome the mindless drone attitude you have, good luck in trying to break free.

It's funny how these negative comments are making accusations based on a company they know nothing about; they are just tarnishing them with the same brush using robotic quotes obviously picked up from the media. Instead of being dull mindless sheep who will believe anything, why don't you and go and find that life that you left somewhere and start using it! I hope you will eventually overcome the mindless drone attitude you have, good luck in trying to break free.Luke78

It's funny how these negative comments are making accusations based on a company they know nothing about; they are just tarnishing them with the same brush using robotic quotes obviously picked up from the media. Instead of being dull mindless sheep who will believe anything, why don't you and go and find that life that you left somewhere and start using it! I hope you will eventually overcome the mindless drone attitude you have, good luck in trying to break free.

Score: 16

CJFitz86
12:49pm Wed 30 Jul 14

Has anyone actually even read the article, or are we all too busy throwing insults at each other? Regardless of what your arguments are against this firm and what you believe to be true, it does not excuse the fact that people are not turning up to interviews they have been invited to and make no effort to explain or make up for it. For all those people saying that they cannot find jobs and then don't bother turning up for interviews don't deserve to be given one as they clearly don't value the time and effort taken to arrange it. As an employer myself, it is monumentally frustrating when you take the time with the recruitment process, arrange interviews and prepare for them only to have people not turn up and don't bother to explain why. Whatever you may think about this company has nothing to do with poor behavior of people "trying so hard" to find work. in regards to the benefits that they offer, yes some may be standard and not cost much but they have a much bigger package to offer then other places I have worked at in the past. If the company reads any of these comments I hope they never have the displeasure to hire people like you in the future who obviously have some chip on your shoulder about corporate companies.

Has anyone actually even read the article, or are we all too busy throwing insults at each other? Regardless of what your arguments are against this firm and what you believe to be true, it does not excuse the fact that people are not turning up to interviews they have been invited to and make no effort to explain or make up for it. For all those people saying that they cannot find jobs and then don't bother turning up for interviews don't deserve to be given one as they clearly don't value the time and effort taken to arrange it. As an employer myself, it is monumentally frustrating when you take the time with the recruitment process, arrange interviews and prepare for them only to have people not turn up and don't bother to explain why. Whatever you may think about this company has nothing to do with poor behavior of people "trying so hard" to find work. in regards to the benefits that they offer, yes some may be standard and not cost much but they have a much bigger package to offer then other places I have worked at in the past. If the company reads any of these comments I hope they never have the displeasure to hire people like you in the future who obviously have some chip on your shoulder about corporate companies.CJFitz86

Has anyone actually even read the article, or are we all too busy throwing insults at each other? Regardless of what your arguments are against this firm and what you believe to be true, it does not excuse the fact that people are not turning up to interviews they have been invited to and make no effort to explain or make up for it. For all those people saying that they cannot find jobs and then don't bother turning up for interviews don't deserve to be given one as they clearly don't value the time and effort taken to arrange it. As an employer myself, it is monumentally frustrating when you take the time with the recruitment process, arrange interviews and prepare for them only to have people not turn up and don't bother to explain why. Whatever you may think about this company has nothing to do with poor behavior of people "trying so hard" to find work. in regards to the benefits that they offer, yes some may be standard and not cost much but they have a much bigger package to offer then other places I have worked at in the past. If the company reads any of these comments I hope they never have the displeasure to hire people like you in the future who obviously have some chip on your shoulder about corporate companies.

Score: 14

tracey290761
10:31am Thu 31 Jul 14

£15k is a low salary for shifts and in a call centre environment. People who work in insurance environments with experience would looking a salary of at least £18k.

£15k is a new starters wage and Lim would have to train them.

Isn't it obvious the posts would have been filled, if the salary was more attractive.

Maybe should go down the route of job share to secure experience moms who could fit the work around their children

£15k is a low salary for shifts and in a call centre environment. People who work in insurance environments with experience would looking a salary of at least £18k.
£15k is a new starters wage and Lim would have to train them.
Isn't it obvious the posts would have been filled, if the salary was more attractive.
Maybe should go down the route of job share to secure experience moms who could fit the work around their childrentracey290761

£15k is a low salary for shifts and in a call centre environment. People who work in insurance environments with experience would looking a salary of at least £18k.

£15k is a new starters wage and Lim would have to train them.

Isn't it obvious the posts would have been filled, if the salary was more attractive.

Maybe should go down the route of job share to secure experience moms who could fit the work around their children

Score: -6

The Villan
11:47am Thu 31 Jul 14

tracey290761 wrote…

£15k is a low salary for shifts and in a call centre environment. People who work in insurance environments with experience would looking a salary of at least £18k.

£15k is a new starters wage and Lim would have to train them.

Isn't it obvious the posts would have been filled, if the salary was more attractive.

Maybe should go down the route of job share to secure experience moms who could fit the work around their children

But surely £15,000 is better than JSA as a starting salary whilst training? Plus, the person employed would be gaining experience to improve themselves and make them more employable in the future.

If you read the article, you will see the salary range is from £14,825 to £25,300, with the later salary not bad at all.

[quote][p][bold]tracey290761[/bold] wrote:
£15k is a low salary for shifts and in a call centre environment. People who work in insurance environments with experience would looking a salary of at least £18k.
£15k is a new starters wage and Lim would have to train them.
Isn't it obvious the posts would have been filled, if the salary was more attractive.
Maybe should go down the route of job share to secure experience moms who could fit the work around their children[/p][/quote]But surely £15,000 is better than JSA as a starting salary whilst training? Plus, the person employed would be gaining experience to improve themselves and make them more employable in the future.
If you read the article, you will see the salary range is from £14,825 to £25,300, with the later salary not bad at all.The Villan

tracey290761 wrote…

£15k is a low salary for shifts and in a call centre environment. People who work in insurance environments with experience would looking a salary of at least £18k.

£15k is a new starters wage and Lim would have to train them.

Isn't it obvious the posts would have been filled, if the salary was more attractive.

Maybe should go down the route of job share to secure experience moms who could fit the work around their children

But surely £15,000 is better than JSA as a starting salary whilst training? Plus, the person employed would be gaining experience to improve themselves and make them more employable in the future.

If you read the article, you will see the salary range is from £14,825 to £25,300, with the later salary not bad at all.

Score: 11

graduate_mom
5:46pm Sat 2 Aug 14

Perhaps they should advertise NOT in Brierley Hill!

Perhaps they should advertise NOT in Brierley Hill!graduate_mom

Perhaps they should advertise NOT in Brierley Hill!

Score: 1

LIM Group
4:26pm Wed 6 Aug 14

uptopdown wrote…

I have applied at LIM.

They never call you back or even reply to your emails so all this about people not wanting to work is a load of tosh.

If LIM believe I am not telling the truth then please do call me and prove me wrong!

If you could provide us with your contact details via hr@legalim.co.uk a member of our Recruitment Team would be happy to discuss your application further with you and provide feedback if we're able to.

Obviously should you not have been through the recruitment process the feedback we can provide may be more limited.

[quote][p][bold]uptopdown[/bold] wrote:
I have applied at LIM.
They never call you back or even reply to your emails so all this about people not wanting to work is a load of tosh.
If LIM believe I am not telling the truth then please do call me and prove me wrong![/p][/quote]If you could provide us with your contact details via hr@legalim.co.uk a member of our Recruitment Team would be happy to discuss your application further with you and provide feedback if we're able to.
Obviously should you not have been through the recruitment process the feedback we can provide may be more limited.LIM Group

uptopdown wrote…

I have applied at LIM.

They never call you back or even reply to your emails so all this about people not wanting to work is a load of tosh.

If LIM believe I am not telling the truth then please do call me and prove me wrong!

If you could provide us with your contact details via hr@legalim.co.uk a member of our Recruitment Team would be happy to discuss your application further with you and provide feedback if we're able to.

Obviously should you not have been through the recruitment process the feedback we can provide may be more limited.

Score: 2

uptopdown
4:21pm Wed 6 Aug 14

I have applied at LIM.

They never call you back or even reply to your emails so all this about people not wanting to work is a load of tosh.

If LIM believe I am not telling the truth then please do call me and prove me wrong!

I have applied at LIM.
They never call you back or even reply to your emails so all this about people not wanting to work is a load of tosh.
If LIM believe I am not telling the truth then please do call me and prove me wrong!uptopdown

I have applied at LIM.

They never call you back or even reply to your emails so all this about people not wanting to work is a load of tosh.

If LIM believe I am not telling the truth then please do call me and prove me wrong!

Score: -2

KellyJones
4:11pm Thu 7 Aug 14

Why not take people on and train them up? In my past ive been turned down for jobs because I "didnt have the experience" but how are you meant to get it when no one will give you a way in.

Why not take people on and train them up? In my past ive been turned down for jobs because I "didnt have the experience" but how are you meant to get it when no one will give you a way in.KellyJones

Why not take people on and train them up? In my past ive been turned down for jobs because I "didnt have the experience" but how are you meant to get it when no one will give you a way in.

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